The Olympic silver medallist aggregated a total of 201kg (88kg + 113kg) to stamp her authority in the competition and achieve a Commonwealth Games record in the process.
The exceptional @mirabai_chanu makes India proud once again! Every Indian is delighted that she’s won a Gold and se… https://t.co/E7TbgNEBS6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1659201161000
The silver went to Mauritius’ Marie Hanitra Roilya Ranaivosoa (172kg) and bronze to Canada’s Hannah Kaminski (171 kg).
In a remarkable performance, Chanu smashed the Commonwealth (Commonwealth Championships and CWG) and Games record in snatch. She obliterated the Games record in clean and jerk as well as total lift.
Superd..First Gold #CWG2022 @mirabai_chanu https://t.co/dsw79EbNus
— M C Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) 1659200112000
An overwhelming favourite in her weight category, the 27-year-old Chanu set a rather low starting weight for 80kg in snatch and 105 in clean and jerk before changing her first attempt to 84kg. Going into the competition, she had a personal best of 88kg and 119kg, a world record in clean and jerk, totalling 207kg.
Her nearest rival in the field, Stella Kingsley of Nigeria, came into the contest with a personal best of 168kg (72kg+96kg), summing up the gulf between her and the rest.
MIRABAI WINS GOLD ????@mirabai_chanu wins 1️⃣st Gold & 3️⃣rd Medal for ???????? at @birminghamcg22 ???????? & her 3rd consecutiv… https://t.co/hxFOIaxOZJ
— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) 1659200192000
The atmosphere at the NEC arena was electric, pushing the athletes to give their best with the music keeping the fans entertained.
As the MC also pointed out, with Chanu head and shoulders above others, the outing was more about competing with herself than her opponents.
???????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????#TeamIndia’s first gold at the @birminghamcg22 Commonwealth Games comes in the women’s… https://t.co/ugtbaaObUe
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) 1659200216000
Chanu’s first attempt in snatch was comfortable before she lifted 88kg in the second before leaving 90kg for the third and final attempt. She was not able to record a new personal best but still went into the clean and jerk with a 12kg advantage over Ranaivosoa.
The clean and jerk began in a rather dramatic fashion with Bangladesh’s Marija Akhter falling on the floor after a failed attempt for 70kg.
India’s first medal at #Tokyo2020 and now India’s first Gold Medal at @birminghamcg22. @mirabai_chanu continues to… https://t.co/rHhYXwpejX
— Deepa Malik PLY (@DeepaAthlete) 1659200308000
With her nearest rivals attempting 15kgs less than Chanu, the result was a foregone conclusion.
The battle for silver and bronze went down to the wire with Kingsley, Kaminski and Ranaivosa battling it out.
It was a heartbreaking end for the Nigerian lifter Kingsley whose 98kg attempt was declared as a no lift following a premature celebration.
India strikes first Gold medal at the #CommonwealthGames 2022Mirabai Chanu wins GOLD Medal in 49kg Women’s Weightl… https://t.co/IAtXRbSsDD
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) 1659200617000
Chanu lifted 109kg comfortably in her first attempt before going for 113kg in the second.
She did not risk matching her world record of 119kg and went for 115 kg in her final lift, but missed.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.